Black berry wine grape variety grown in Apulia

Uva di Troia n.

The Uva di Troia n. vine is one of the most prestigious and characteristic of Apulia, where it is registered among the varieties suitable for cultivation throughout the region.

Origin and Historical Outline

The Uva di Troia n. variety of black berry wine grape is one of the oldest and most characteristic of central-northern Apulia. Historical sources report that it may have originated in Asia Minor (Troia) and arrived in Apulia during the Hellenic colonization, or its name may have come from the Apulian town in the province of Foggia (Troia) or from the Albanian town of Cruja, in the popular language, as Troia.
In the last decade, the discovery of new relatives, identified through DNA research, has made it known (Bergamini et al., 2016) that from the parents Bombino Bianco (mother) and Uva rosa antica/Quagliano, the grape varieties Uva di Troia, Bombino Nero, Impigno were obtained.

Synonyms

Barlettana, Nero di Troia, Tranese, Troiano, Uva di Barletta, Uva di Canosa, Uva della Marina, Vitigno di Barletta.

Shoot tip: expanded, bristly, bronze-green.

Leaf: medium, pentagonal, pentalobate. U or lyreshaped petiole sinus with sometimes overlapping lobes. Lyre-shaped upper and lower lateral sinuses. Hairless upper side, downy bottom side, flat blade, often with somewhat involute lobes.

Bunch: medium, pyramid-shaped, plain or winged, medium-dense.

Berry: medium, spheroidal, with pruinose, thick and compact, almost coriaceous skin; purple epidermis. Not very pulpy flesh.

Phenology

Time of bud burst: intermediate

Flowering time: intermediate

Veraison: intermediate

Ripening: intermediate-late

Isoenzymes

GPI: 3

PGM: 1

Agronomic and Cultural Characteristics

Vigour: good

Average bunch weight: 210 g (min 130 g – max 320 g)

Average berry weight: 2.4 g (min 2.1 g – max 2.7 g)

Number of seeds per berry: 1 2

Average rachis weight: 12 g

Fertility of buds: generally 2

Potential fertility: 1.9

Actual fertility: 1.6

Environmental and Cultural Requirements

Medium production. No particular soil requirements in a warm climate. Adapts to any training and pruning system

Not very resistant to downy mildew, more resistant to oidium and severe weather conditions. Susceptible to warm winds, like the Favonio, which is typical of southern Italy.

Chemical Features of the Wine

Alcoholic content: 11 – 14.5 % by vol.

pH: 3.2 – 3.5

Total acidity: 4.5 – 8 g/l

Oenological Use and Sensorial Properties of the Wine

Its grapes are used exclusively for vinification. The wine obtained is ruby red in colour with orange reflections, full-bodied, alcoholic, with moderate fixed acidity, vinous, dry and well balanced bouquet and a neutral taste.

Economic Significance and Geographic Distribution

The Uva di Troia n. vine is traditionally present in Apulia, particularly in the centre-north of the region, where it contributes to quality wine production. It is registered among the varieties suitable for cultivation throughout the region.

It is used for the production of the PDO wines Castel del Monte, Rosso di Cerignola, Orta Nova, Cacc’è Mitte di Lucera, Rosso Barletta, Rosso Canosa.

Author and Source

Antonacci Donato
antonacci.dona@gmail.com

The data sheet of the Uva di Troia n. grape variety, revised and updated, is extracted from: Antonacci Donato (2006). Viti di Puglia, Adda publisher. Its use is granted by the author citing the source.